Erik ten Hag launches a big defence of his not-so-Ajax ‘direct’ style of play at Man United, blaming ‘missing players in back four’, for bad ‘routines’ and hailing himself, his team and his staff as ‘strong’
Erik ten Hag has defended his management style amid the Dutch manager’s dismal run of form at Manchester United.
The team is currently eighth in the table and travels to Fulham on Saturday after consecutive 3-0 home defeats.
Poor results against Manchester City in the Premier League and Newcastle in midweek Carabao Cup action mark the first time in 93 years that the side have lost five of their opening 10 home games.
The former Ajax manager raised eyebrows on Wednesday when he said the team would ‘never’ be able to match the style of his successful Eredivisie side.
But Ten Hag was keen to emphasize he was focused on building a unique playing philosophy at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag was keen to defend his management style after consecutive defeats
Manchester United have lost five of their first ten home games for the first time in 93 years
“I came here with my philosophy, based on ball possession, but also to combine it with the DNA of Man United, but also with the players and their character,” said Ten Hag. ‘Last year we combined it and last season we played very good football. I want to play from the back and we try to do that in every game, but just like against Man City, if they can press well, going straight is a good option.
‘We want to press and then go straight, because we have the players who are very good at that.’
When asked whether United were perhaps playing without style, Ten Hag hesitated.
‘I don’t want to say that. That’s too strong,” he continued. ‘The intention is clear, but the execution is lacking.
Summer signing Mason Mount was the only player to remain on the pitch and cheer on the fans on a dreary Carabao Cup night at Old Trafford
‘At the moment we are in it, with so many changes, we can’t draw up the same play every time and we have to change. We are missing players at the back and we have to adapt every time, which does not benefit the routines.’
But despite the side recording consecutive 3-0 home defeats to the first team since the 1962-63 season, Ten Hag said the atmosphere was ‘positive’.
‘They (players) are positive. They want to put this right and we know the norms here. We have to match them every day. We have had two major setbacks, but we will fight back.
‘The dressing room is strong, the staff is strong and this manager is strong.’
